World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!

D-Index & Metrics

Ecology and Evolution

D-Index
67
Citations
15690
World Ranking
1611
National Ranking
590

Overview

David P. Watts is affiliated with Yale University in the United States. Their research contributions span several fields, primarily focusing on Psychology and Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology. Within these broader areas, they have notable works in subfields such as Social Psychology, Developmental Biology, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, and Developmental and Educational Psychology.

The scientist's main topics of research cover a range of areas related to primates and animal behavior. These include:

  • Primate Behavior and Ecology
  • Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
  • Animal Behavior and Reproduction
  • Child and Animal Learning Development
  • Human-Animal Interaction Studies
  • Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior

David P. Watts has published frequently in several academic venues, with multiple articles appearing in:

  • American Journal of Primatology
  • Journal of Human Evolution
  • International Journal of Primatology
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
  • Current Biology

Recent selected publications include:

  • "Meat eating by nonhuman primates: A review and synthesis" (2020, Journal of Human Evolution)
  • "Age Patterning in Wild Chimpanzee Gut Microbiota Diversity Reveals Differences from Humans in Early Life" (2020, Current Biology)
  • "Lethal Coalitionary Aggression Associated with a Community Fission in Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) at Ngogo, Kibale National Park, Uganda" (2021, International Journal of Primatology)
  • "Demographic and hormonal evidence for menopause in wild chimpanzees" (2023, Science)
  • "Long-term trends in fruit production in a tropical forest at Ngogo, Kibale National Park, Uganda" (2020, Biotropica)

Frequent collaborators in David P. Watts's body of work include:

  • Kevin E. Langergraber
  • John C. Mitani
  • Iulia Bădescu
  • Daniel Sellen
  • Aaron A. Sandel

Best Publications

  • The evolution of female social relationships in nonhuman primates

    E.H.M. Sterck;David P. Watts;C.P. van Schaik

  • Averting biodiversity collapse in tropical forest protected areas

    William F. Laurance;William F. Laurance;D. Carolina Useche;Julio Rendeiro;Margareta Kalka

  • Generation times in wild chimpanzees and gorillas suggest earlier divergence times in great ape and human evolution

    Kevin E. Langergraber;Kay Prüfer;Carolyn Rowney;Christophe Boesch

  • Why do chimpanzees hunt and share meat

    John C. Mitani;David P. Watts

  • Lethal aggression in Pan is better explained by adaptive strategies than human impacts

    Micahel L. Wilson;Christophe Boesch;Barbara Fruth;Takeshi Furuichi

  • Composition and variability of mountain gorilla diets in the Central Virungas

    David P. Watts

  • BOUNDARY PATROLS AND INTERGROUP ENCOUNTERS IN WILD CHIMPANZEES

    David P. Watts;John C. Mitani

  • Lethal intergroup aggression leads to territorial expansion in wild chimpanzees

    John C. Mitani;David P. Watts;Sylvia J. Amsler

  • Coalitionary mate guarding by male chimpanzees at Ngogo, Kibale National Park, Uganda

    David P. Watts

  • Infanticide in Mountain Gorillas: New Cases and a Reconsideration of the Evidence

    David P. Watts

  • Hunting Behavior of Chimpanzees at Ngogo, Kibale National Park, Uganda

    David P. Watts;John C. Mitani

  • RECIPROCITY AND INTERCHANGE IN THE SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS OF WILD MALE CHIMPANZEES

    David P. Watts

  • Long-term field studies of primates

    Peter M. Kappeler;David P. Watts

  • Demographic influences on the hunting behavior of chimpanzees

    John C. Mitani;David P. Watts

  • Sexual segregation in vertebrates : ecology of the two sexes

    Kathreen Ruckstuhl;Peter Neuhaus

  • Lethal intergroup aggression by chimpanzees in Kibale National Park, Uganda.

    David P. Watts;Martin Muller;Sylvia J. Amsler;Godfrey Mbabazi

  • Recent Developments in the Study of Wild Chimpanzee Behavior

    John C. Mitani;David P. Watts;Martin N. Muller

  • Favorable ecological circumstances promote life expectancy in chimpanzees similar to that of human hunter-gatherers.

    Brian M. Wood;David P. Watts;John C. Mitani;Kevin E. Langergraber

  • Behavioural Diversity in Chimpanzees and Bonobos: Ecological and social correlates of chimpanzee party size and composition

    John C. Mitani;David P. Watts;Jeremiah S. Lwanga

  • Long-Term Habitat Use by Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla gorilla beringei). 1. Consistency, Variation, and Home Range Size and Stability

    David P. Watts

  • Comparative socio–ecology of gorillas

    David P. Watts

  • Mountain gorilla reproduction and sexual behavior.

    David P. Watts

Frequent Co-Authors

John C. Mitani
John C. Mitani University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
Richard W. Wrangham
Richard W. Wrangham Harvard University
Linda Vigilant
Linda Vigilant Max Planck Society
Anne E. Pusey
Anne E. Pusey Duke University
Christophe Boesch
Christophe Boesch Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Klaus Zuberbühler
Klaus Zuberbühler University of Neuchâtel
Tony L. Goldberg
Tony L. Goldberg University of Wisconsin–Madison
Peter M. Kappeler
Peter M. Kappeler German Primate Center
George M. Shaw
George M. Shaw University of Pennsylvania
Paul M. Sharp
Paul M. Sharp University of Edinburgh

If you think any of the details on this page are incorrect, let us know.

Report an issue

We appreciate your kind effort to assist us to improve this page, it would be helpful providing us with as much detail as possible in the text box below:

Related Online Degrees & Career Pathways

If you’re interested in Ecology and Evolution, there are several related fields you might consider for expanding your skills or career options. Psychology is a complementary discipline, supporting work in environmental education, conservation, and human-wildlife interactions.

For those interested in the intersection of psychology and the legal system, exploring how much does a forensic psychologist make can provide insight on career opportunities in forensic psychology. This field analyzes the relationship between environment, behavior, and crime.

You might also pursue human-focused online programs to help understand behavioral and emotional development. Degrees such as online child psychology masters prepare graduates for supporting children and families—a pathway relevant to community conservation initiatives.

For those seeking affordability, consider the cheapest online master's in counseling, which can equip you to facilitate positive change within diverse communities or within ecological organizations.

Finally, clinical psychology programs online offer post-graduate training that can lead to work in research, policy, or direct support services related to human and environmental well-being.

Best Scientists Citing David P. Watts

Trending Scientists

Recently Published Articles